(NOTE: Daily press conferences from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will be streamed live in the player above. Check back for updates.)
In just one day, Chicago is slated to enter phase three of its reopening plan after months of stay-at-home restrictions.
But as large protests and gatherings flood city streets, new concerns over the resurgence of coronavirus has officials questioning.
Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus crisis today (June 2):
More Than 1,600 New Coronavirus Cases, 113 Additional Deaths Reported in Illinois Tuesday
A day after fewer than 1,000 new cases of coronavirus were reported statewide, Illinois officials say 1,614 new cases of the disease were reported Tuesday, along with 113 additional deaths over the last 24 hours.
In all, 122,848 cases of the virus have been reported statewide since the pandemic began, with all but one county in the state reporting at least one positive case as of Tuesday.
The 113 new deaths attributed to the virus bring the state’s death toll to 5,525 since the first confirmed death was reported earlier this year.
Chicago Will Enter Phase 3 of Reopening Wednesday As Planned, Lightfoot Says
Chicago will enter the third phase of its reopening plan amid the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday as planned even after protests, looting, vandalism and violence gripped the city for four consecutive days, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday.
"After a lot of consultation and yes, a lot of prayer: we will reopen tomorrow and take this important next step as planned," she said at a news conference Tuesday, saying she had consulted with many business owners who told her they wanted to move forward.
"I heard that over and over again in neighborhoods that are hard hit for years, that they need a lifeline and they need it now," Lightfoot said. "I want to encourage our customers to shop locally... that's going to be critically important for them to survive."
Monday marked the fourth night of protests in Chicago calling for justice after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd earlier in the week in an incident captured on cellphone video. Thousands of protesters joined demonstrations across the city, despite a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, meant to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
"While we continue to make progress, I am concerned we may see ourselves take a step backward down the line against COVID-19," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Monday, urging anyone who attended a protest or gathering to self-quarantine at home for 14 days if possible.
Community-Based COVID-19 Testing Facilities to Remain Closed Tuesday
For the second straight day, all Illinois community-based coronavirus testing sites will be closed Tuesday, according to the state’s Department of Public Health.
The state is currently operating 10 different testing sites all over Illinois, including in Aurora, Champaign, Chatham, East St. Louis, Harwood Heights, Peoria, Rockford, Rolling Meadows, South Holland and Waukegan.
The closure of the state-run facilities was ordered by IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau on Sunday to “protect staff and those utilizing these services,” and no reopening date has been set.
